Thursday, July 23, 2009

House blocks Rep. Nunes' try for water bill

WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives on Thursday dismissed the latest public maneuver by Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Visalia, to summon attention to the San Joaquin Valley’s water shortage.

By a nearly perfect party line vote of 249-179, the House blocked Nunes from bringing to the floor a bill removing restrictions from Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta pumping plants. The restrictions have been put in place to protect vulnerable species and habitat.Nunes has been increasingly blunt in his partisan appeals on the water issue, and he noted Thursday that “not a single California Democrat” supported his long-shot parliamentary tactic.

Several committees have previously defeated Nunes in related efforts, either directly or by blocking his request to obtain a House vote.